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Nurses to face three-year competency checks

Nurses and midwives are to face competency checks every three years and will be forced to reflect on the comments of their patients.

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has unveiled a new review process known as “revalidation” whereby nurses and midwives will have to face competency checks every three years.

Under the plans, the health workers will be forced to reflect on the comments of their patients and if needed, undergo training to keep their registration. The move is geared towards putting compassion back into the heart of nursing.

Currently, nurses and midwives declare themselves fit every three years and NMC doesn’t have the authority to seek information from a third party to verify their claims.

Under the new plan, nurses and midwives will be eligible for an enhanced appraisal depending on their learning for the past year, their development, patients’ feedback, and reviews by their colleagues.

Dr. Katerina Kolyva, Director of Continued Practice at the Nursing and Midwifery Council said: “Revalidation is a robust way to ensure that nurses and midwives keep their knowledge and skills up to date throughout their career.”

“The public has an important role to play in shaping revalidation for the nurses and midwives who care for them and their families.”

"We hope that revalidation will help the public feel confident that the people who care for them have demonstrated that their practice meets the professional standards we set on a continuous basis.”